As New Englanders dug out from 2 more feet of snow Tuesday, there appeared to be no relief in sight. Meteorologists predict more snow is on the way Thursday and perhaps this weekend.
Here’s how the region is coping:
Travel woes
Boston-area subways, trolleys and commuter rail trains remained idle Tuesday, with only limited bus service.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said it needed the break to clear snow and ice from tracks. Service is set to resume today at a reduced level, with fewer cars and less frequent trips on most lines of the nation’s fifth-largest and oldest system.
Boston hospitals set up sleeping areas for workers and police gave doctors and nurses rides to work. At Logan International Airport, many flights were still reporting delays through Tuesday afternoon.
More coming
After a brief respite today, forecasters say, much of New England is on track to get more snow Thursday and during the Friday morning commute, with 3 inches expected in Boston and 6 or more south of the city. A much larger storm could dump appreciably higher amounts Sunday and Monday, but meteorologists said it was still too early to say how much.
Trials delayed
Two high-profile Massachusetts trials, already disrupted, were further delayed by the snow.
State court officials said testimony in the murder trial of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez would not resume until today. And Jury selection for the federal trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, charged in the Boston Marathon bombing, also was called off Tuesday.
Liberace’s piano
The roof at a Massachusetts music store that is home to a rhinestone-encrusted grand piano once owned by Liberace collapsed under the weight of snow.
Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said a large section of roof fell into the showroom Tuesday morning at the Piano Mill. No one was in the building at the time. Owner Rob Norris said the Liberace piano, which has been appraised at $500,000, was not damaged.
The roof collapse was among a number reported across the state.
Skylight fall
A maintenance worker checking out a snowy warehouse roof north of Boston fell 27 feet through a skylight and was injured.
Peabody Deputy Fire Chief Richard Nelson said the U.S. Foods employee was taken by helicopter to a hospital with injuries including broken legs.
Nelson said the snow-covered portal gave way when the man, who was helping remove three feet of snow from the roof Tuesday morning, inadvertently stepped on it. He said the man was conscious and was “kind of joking” with rescuers.
School closings
At least one Massachusetts school district has thrown up the white flag.
The Pentucket Regional School District near the New Hampshire border canceled classes through the rest of the week. Schools will reopen Feb. 23 when students return from their traditional weeklong winter break.
In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh said public schools may have to consider holding Saturday classes or cutting short spring break if students lose more days to snow.
Snow budgets
Gov. Charlie Baker said he’ll be seeking federal disaster aid for this winter’s snowfall to help ease the pressure on state and local government budgets trained by cleanup costs. Walsh said Boston alone has spent over $30 million with more than five weeks left of winter, far exceeding the $18.5 million budgeted for snow removal.
Baker also announced other measures Tuesday, including activating about 500 members of the state’s National Guard.
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